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happilywilted's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ghostlydreamer's review against another edition
2.0
This could have been great. It WOULD have been great. And then you treated Ridley like dirt. I don't mean that in the "you made her go through bad things and I hate you for that!" kind of way. I mean that in the "what the fuck happened to this character? She's not even the same person!" kind of way.
Ridley? She's a shitty person. Her motives are all wrong, even though I almost can't help but feel sorry for her given the cards she was dealt. But you know what? In the original 4 books, Ridley was amusing as hell. She wasn't always the good guy, but she was entertaining to read about. She just oozed sex, sarcasm, and haughty confidence like no one else could. And yeah, she was riddled with cliches. But she was Ridley. And at least she was INTERESTING. Her dialogue choices always had me cracking up. These are the things that made me love her, even though we shouldn't.
So when I discovered there was a spin-off book featuring Ridley as our main focus, I was all for it. I was done with my Caster Chronicles phase by this time and had worked myself well out of the YA trash hole I previously dug myself in. I was already learning to recognize that I much preferred adult fiction to YA fiction. But nostalgia beckoned, and I came running. Because Beautiful Creatures still has a lot of meaning to me, and I like I said, Ridley drew me in. But then I read the book. And all I can ask is...what the HELL happened to you, Ridley?
This isn't the same Ridley as the one we read about in the original books. Not even close. Sure, she has the same name, the same looks. But she's a shadow of her former self. And no, I don't think this has anything to do with Ridley maturing since the events of Beautiful Redemption either. I also don't believe this is just a more vulnerable version of herself that we weren't privy to in the former books because it wasn't coming from her perspective. If that were the case, we'd see both sides of her. The more vulnerable and insecure side that's struggling, merged with that haughty, irresistible siren charm that we're already familiar with from the first books. There was none of that. She's watered down and one-dimensional. And that, my friends, was a let down.
Now, I can't remember the plot. I have a few hazy silhouettes of memories forming at the back of my mind, but I can't call them to fruition and I'm not sure I want to. So I'm assuming the plot wasn't anything spectacular and was largely forgettable.
And what about Link? Well, he was never my favorite character either. So I didn't really care for him. And while his infatuation for Ridley made total sense, hers for him made none to me. It felt...forced. Like it's more than just they're incompatible. Yet I feel like that's part of the reason why Ridley is so watered down. Because of the relationship with Link that already made no sense to me.
I still had fun with the book. That justifies the 2 stars. And I loved how the chapter titles were named after classic heavy metal and rock songs. That felt fitting, between the two of them (Link and Ridley). But that's about all I can recall that I enjoyed. I went on to read the sequel, but liked that even less. One day I'll finish rereading the Caster Chronicles. But this will not be a part of that. But I have to say, it looks nice when they're all lined up in a row together, including this one.
Ridley? She's a shitty person. Her motives are all wrong, even though I almost can't help but feel sorry for her given the cards she was dealt. But you know what? In the original 4 books, Ridley was amusing as hell. She wasn't always the good guy, but she was entertaining to read about. She just oozed sex, sarcasm, and haughty confidence like no one else could. And yeah, she was riddled with cliches. But she was Ridley. And at least she was INTERESTING. Her dialogue choices always had me cracking up. These are the things that made me love her, even though we shouldn't.
So when I discovered there was a spin-off book featuring Ridley as our main focus, I was all for it. I was done with my Caster Chronicles phase by this time and had worked myself well out of the YA trash hole I previously dug myself in. I was already learning to recognize that I much preferred adult fiction to YA fiction. But nostalgia beckoned, and I came running. Because Beautiful Creatures still has a lot of meaning to me, and I like I said, Ridley drew me in. But then I read the book. And all I can ask is...what the HELL happened to you, Ridley?
This isn't the same Ridley as the one we read about in the original books. Not even close. Sure, she has the same name, the same looks. But she's a shadow of her former self. And no, I don't think this has anything to do with Ridley maturing since the events of Beautiful Redemption either. I also don't believe this is just a more vulnerable version of herself that we weren't privy to in the former books because it wasn't coming from her perspective. If that were the case, we'd see both sides of her. The more vulnerable and insecure side that's struggling, merged with that haughty, irresistible siren charm that we're already familiar with from the first books. There was none of that. She's watered down and one-dimensional. And that, my friends, was a let down.
Now, I can't remember the plot. I have a few hazy silhouettes of memories forming at the back of my mind, but I can't call them to fruition and I'm not sure I want to. So I'm assuming the plot wasn't anything spectacular and was largely forgettable.
And what about Link? Well, he was never my favorite character either. So I didn't really care for him. And while his infatuation for Ridley made total sense, hers for him made none to me. It felt...forced. Like it's more than just they're incompatible. Yet I feel like that's part of the reason why Ridley is so watered down. Because of the relationship with Link that already made no sense to me.
I still had fun with the book. That justifies the 2 stars. And I loved how the chapter titles were named after classic heavy metal and rock songs. That felt fitting, between the two of them (Link and Ridley). But that's about all I can recall that I enjoyed. I went on to read the sequel, but liked that even less. One day I'll finish rereading the Caster Chronicles. But this will not be a part of that. But I have to say, it looks nice when they're all lined up in a row together, including this one.
charonlrdraws's review against another edition
4.0
Oh hey Ridley's story is more entertaining then Ethan's what a surprise more please! I have a load of gripes with the Caster Chronicles despite being two books into that series but here however with Ridley's story it's done right and I enjoyed this book so much and I kind of wanted more.
A summery for Dangerous Creatures:
Ridley Duchannes will be the first to tell you that she's a bad girl. She's Dark. She's a Siren. You can never trust her, or even yourself when she's around. Lucky for her, Wesley "Link" Lincoln can never seem to remember that; quarter Incubus or not, his heart is Mortal when it comes to Ridley. When Link heads to New York City to start a music career, Ridley goes along for the ride-and she has her own reasons. As if leaving small-town Gatlin for the big city, trying to form a band, and surviving life with a partially reformed Siren isn't hard enough already, Link soon learns he has a price on his head that no Caster or Mortal can ever pay.
Yeah I prefer this over Beautiful Creatures I kid you not and can I just say I'm a sucker for the darker more misunderstood characters and Ridley falls nicely under that like Levana did so hey yeah I like her, despite the shortness of Dangerous Creatures it was more interesting and I was keen to see what happened next and it was a fantastic read.
A summery for Dangerous Creatures:
Ridley Duchannes will be the first to tell you that she's a bad girl. She's Dark. She's a Siren. You can never trust her, or even yourself when she's around. Lucky for her, Wesley "Link" Lincoln can never seem to remember that; quarter Incubus or not, his heart is Mortal when it comes to Ridley. When Link heads to New York City to start a music career, Ridley goes along for the ride-and she has her own reasons. As if leaving small-town Gatlin for the big city, trying to form a band, and surviving life with a partially reformed Siren isn't hard enough already, Link soon learns he has a price on his head that no Caster or Mortal can ever pay.
Yeah I prefer this over Beautiful Creatures I kid you not and can I just say I'm a sucker for the darker more misunderstood characters and Ridley falls nicely under that like Levana did so hey yeah I like her, despite the shortness of Dangerous Creatures it was more interesting and I was keen to see what happened next and it was a fantastic read.
mariahreadit's review against another edition
3.0
This was not terrible, but like, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone? 2.5?
nicolet2018's review against another edition
3.0
Link and Ridley were not my fave characters. Ridley especially. Reading about their toxic off and on relationship in the Beautiful Creatures series solidified it. Knowing that the co-authors wrote a spin off series with this world in mind made me smile. I was intrigued with why they returned to this world at all. Probably because their own individual releases were underwhelming. I read both The Icons and Unbreakable. The Icons had a great premise but poor execution. I do not even want to talk about Unbreakable.
Another reason I was intrigued by this new spin off was the setting! New York City! I think I could put aside that the main characters are Ridley and Link. For a while at least. The story begins with lies, Ridley follows Link to the Big Apple seemingly for no reason other than to be with him but actually there is a reason. It is plain from the beginning that Ridley is not your good guy and will always disappoint you. But then, why oh why in all her lying, scheming, mistakes does it seem like the authors try to push that she IS? I am not convinced. What made me less convinced was the image potrayed in the movie of Ridley and Link.
Perhaps they are trying to show she is an anti-hero. I am not convinced about her "relationship" with Link because for the last half of the book she is with Lennox Gates, gallavanting around town, having chats under the stars, being close to each other moments and staying in his sisters room where the closet magically makes designer clothes appear all under the guise that she wants answers on him. It is obvious she feels something for him. Please do not bring a love triangle into this. I don't condone what Ridley and Link have because she takes him for granted and treats him badly even though he cares for her.
If the reader is hoping to see more of the characters from BC, nope it hardly happens. Lena, Ethan, John and Liv only appear in the first chapter. Lena is mentioned many times in the rest of the novel. However, I did like the introduction of new characters like Floyd and Necro and tying of the storylines. Not Lennox however, he was another guy who fell under Ridley's spell. I dont care what his past with Ridley is.
Lastly, that ending was ridiculous!
Another reason I was intrigued by this new spin off was the setting! New York City! I think I could put aside that the main characters are Ridley and Link. For a while at least. The story begins with lies, Ridley follows Link to the Big Apple seemingly for no reason other than to be with him but actually there is a reason. It is plain from the beginning that Ridley is not your good guy and will always disappoint you. But then, why oh why in all her lying, scheming, mistakes does it seem like the authors try to push that she IS? I am not convinced. What made me less convinced was the image potrayed in the movie of Ridley and Link.
Perhaps they are trying to show she is an anti-hero. I am not convinced about her "relationship" with Link because for the last half of the book she is with Lennox Gates, gallavanting around town, having chats under the stars, being close to each other moments and staying in his sisters room where the closet magically makes designer clothes appear all under the guise that she wants answers on him. It is obvious she feels something for him. Please do not bring a love triangle into this. I don't condone what Ridley and Link have because she takes him for granted and treats him badly even though he cares for her.
If the reader is hoping to see more of the characters from BC, nope it hardly happens. Lena, Ethan, John and Liv only appear in the first chapter. Lena is mentioned many times in the rest of the novel. However, I did like the introduction of new characters like Floyd and Necro and tying of the storylines. Not Lennox however, he was another guy who fell under Ridley's spell.
Spoiler
And he is Abraham's whipping boy. Honestly.Lastly, that ending was ridiculous!
really_leigh's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this one--always wanted to know more about Ridley.
laszlokreizlers's review against another edition
4.0
3.5*
ridley and link > ethan and lena any damn day ‼️‼️ also i know link floyd had to happen for ridlink development blah blah but necro and floyd should have been gfs <3 okay now passing into the only parts of caster chronicles i haven’t read!
ridley and link > ethan and lena any damn day ‼️‼️ also i know link floyd had to happen for ridlink development blah blah but necro and floyd should have been gfs <3 okay now passing into the only parts of caster chronicles i haven’t read!
sammah's review against another edition
I didn't really like Ridley in the Castor Chronicles, but she was tolerable. Seeing her as the main character in a spin-off series though was actually a little bit painful. Instead of mysterious and dark she just came off as whiny and petty and I just really wasn't feeling it. I think I'll just stop with these books and move on with my life. I liked Lena and Ethan and Gatlin well enough in the original series but...yeah. I think I am done with this world.
yahairadarleth's review against another edition
3.0
I liked it. I had fun. I love Link and Rid but it wasn´t a great book.
gar_bitxh's review against another edition
4.0
Can we all just agree that the cliffhanger on this book rivals Beautiful Chaos.